AN ANTON MEDIA GROUP SPECIAL
THE CAMP&
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APRIL 29 MAY 5, 2020
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A Breath Of Hope
Long Island student makes ventilators at home BY CYNDI ZAWESKI
czaweski@antonmediagroup.com
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ecessity is the mother of invention. For one science and health-focused family in Long Island’s Catholic school community the global pandemic and cancellation of this year’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Fair gave them the time and the incentive they needed to go above and beyond in the most unexpected of places. Like the rest of us, the Stadelman family—Erin and Robert Stadelman, and their son Michael— are respecting the quarantine order by staying home. Also like the rest of us, the Stadelmans wanted to do something to help. Unlike the rest of us, the Stadelman family used their time at home to build a ventilator. Intrigued by the global shortage of medical ventilators, especially in New York, the East Islip family was inspired to build a ventilator in their kitchen with items they
see VENTILATORS on page 22
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VENTILATORS from page 21 had around the house and a first aid kit. “The best part about it, is that it is rewarding,” Michael, 11, said. “I like science.” The tech savvy family was uniquely positioned to take on the challenge. Erin, a computer and technology teacher at Our Lady of the Hamptons Regional School in Southampton, is charged with helping her school work remoting in during the coronavirus pandemic. She’s been helping teachers and staff navigate the world of Google Classrooms while being forced to work from home since March 16. That was also the first day Michael, a student at
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St. Mary’s School in East Islip, began homeschooling after school buildings were closed. “The two of us were just doing school work that first full week,” Erin said. “It was great that we could jump right in with the virtual learning. By Friday, Governor Cuomo said everyone who is non-essential should stay home so my husband was home with us. On Monday, he woke up and announced he had this really great idea.” When Robert, who works as an electrical engineer and a 27-year volunteer EMT-CC (Emergency Medical Technician-Critical Care) in their hometown, started working remotely, the Stadelman household began to
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look a little more like a laboratory. The couple’s scientific minds were passed down to their son. Michael loves helping his dad, so they came up with the innovative idea to potentially help others during the crisis. As both an EMT and an engineer, Robert decided to test if a manually operated Bag Valve Mask (BVM), typically used on ambulances to ventilate patients by hand squeezing, could be transformed into an automatic ventilator. Turns out you can, quickly and inexpensively to boot. A couple 2x4s from the hardware shop, some plywood and an air piston became the essential elements of the at-home ventilator. The project took about a week, and most of the time spent was waiting for parts to arrive from retailers. “When officials kept talking about the shortage of ventilators, I thought what if we could do something that could squeeze the BVM automatically,” Robert said. “I realized we just needed a timer and an air
pistol to make that happen. We put the two together and made it work.” During the build, Robert taught Michael about the inner components and machinations of a ventilator, about BVMs, what a piston is and does and Michael learned to work with electronics and circuits. “Michael learned a whole lot about ventilators, electronic components and a host of other scientific concepts,” Erin said. “It was a great science lesson with a real life application.” For Robert, this was a proof of concept prototype. And while the need for ventilators is decreasing as New York continues to flatten the curve, Robert is confident the model could be employed to save lives. “We built this with readily available items,” Robert said. “There is nothing special or custom about it. Anyone can make one. I’m sure with a little work we could improve this to be a viable emergency ventilator.” You can view the ventilator in action on Robert Stadelman’s Facebook page. He said he’d share the prototype plans with anyone interested.
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The Power Of Presence For Children In A Time Of Crisis T
he latest research on brain development shows us that adult presence literally impacts how a child’s brain gets wired. During these uncertain and destabilizing times, our presence can help our children feel safe and secure. It can help build the resilience they will need to get through this crisis. Research shows that one of the best predictors for how happy and successful a child will be is whether that child had an adult who consistently showed up for them. Right now, parents are juggling working, homeschooling and parenting. Being present may feel like another exhausting ask. Showing up does not have to take a lot of time or energy. Being together is not the same as being present. Despite our physical closeness now, there are times when we may feel distant or disconnected. All of our responsibilities have been brought to the center of our minds and the center of our living rooms and creates endless distractions. We can still find a way to connect with our children to make them feel seen, understood, safe and secure.
PARENTING MATTERS Graziella Simonetti
Make It Fun
Set aside time where you can ditch the cell phone and laptop and connect with your children through meaningful and fun interactions. Play helps our children process what they are going through so it can serve as a stress reliever as well as an opportunity for bonding. Get on the floor, get outside or even get on the other end of the video game controller to connect with your child through play. Think about things you like to do to relieve stress and use that as a means to connect. If you like to exercise, put on some music and dance with your child. If you enjoy cooking, invite your child into the kitchen to cook with you. If we can find time to allow children
to fill up on our positive attention, we may find that they are more secure and less anxious.
Practice Empathy
Negative emotions are often expressed through negative behavior. Approach your child with calmness and empathy. Your empathetic response allows your child’s brain to feel safe and gives him the ability to calm down and reason. Discipline is going to look different during quarantine and that is OK. When your children are under the weather, you most likely adjust your responses because you know they need a little more TLC and understanding. This crisis is not much different. Validate feelings. “I imagine you are feeling really angry” or “it looks like you’re having a really hard time.” Children need understanding and compassion now more than ever before to help them through this very difficult time. Respond with empathy first, and then remind your child what the rules and expectations are. After they are calm, you can discuss why their behavior was inappropriate or hurtful.
Listen With Full Attention
Are you communicating with our children through closed doors, from different rooms or with your back turned and attention on something else? Our body language matters in making our children feel heard and understood. When possible, put down what you are doing and physically turn your body and attention towards your child. Repeat back what you heard so you know you understand correctly. When it isn’t possible to listen with full attention, let your child know when would be a better time to talk. Focusing on connection and presence is not a permissive way to parent. Rules and boundaries can and should still exist. The power of presence helps your child co-regulate and feel safe. Graziella Simonetti is a parenting coach with Parenting Pals (yourparentingpals@gmail.com) and works as an early childhood social worker for the New York City Department of Education. She holds an advanced certificate in parent education from Adelphi University and is a NYSPEP credentialed Parenting Educator.
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